Key facts
- ASICS has established the ASICS Institute of Sport Science Europe (ISS Europe) to bolster its R&D capabilities in the region.
- The new European R&D function will collaborate with European partners, including a strategic partnership with HumanFab.
- The collaboration with HumanFab will focus on enhancing tennis performance through advanced athlete testing and motion analysis.
- ASICS also plans to open a new research and manufacturing facility, the ASICS Technical Lab (ATL), in Kobe, Japan, in December 2027.
Japanese sportswear manufacturer ASICS has expanded its global research and development network by establishing the ASICS Institute of Sport Science Europe (ISS Europe) within its European operations. This new function aims to strengthen R&D capabilities in Europe, working in close alignment with the company's existing Institute of Sport Science in Japan.
As part of this initiative, ASICS has entered a strategic partnership with HumanFab, a sports science institution based in France. This collaboration will leverage HumanFab's advanced facilities, including a state-of-the-art indoor tennis court lab, to conduct precise motion analysis and capture critical performance data for elite athletes. The initial focus will be on enhancing tennis performance, with the goal of developing next-generation tennis products.
This move follows the establishment of ASICS Institute of Sport Science America LLC late last year and underscores ASICS's commitment to expanding its global R&D presence. The company believes that having a dedicated research presence in Europe, a key growth market and home to many of its contracted athletes, will enable richer data acquisition and more responsive product development.
Furthermore, ASICS is planning a purpose-built research and manufacturing facility in Kobe, Japan, named the ASICS Technical Lab (ATL). Scheduled to begin operations in December 2027, ATL will focus on producing precisely crafted footwear for elite athletes, running rapid prototyping cycles, and training future engineers. Insights gained from elite athlete customization are expected to inform broader product development, with a potential future "Made in Japan" consumer line.